Westminster prepares for season opener

Westminster football players head to the field for practice Monday. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

While many county teams open up play on Friday night, Westminster High will have one more week to polish its game before it kicks off its 2013 season at home against Garden Grove High.

The two schools have opened up the season against one another every year since 2007, when the Lions earned a 45-14 victory over the Argonauts. Garden Grove has since responded by winning five straight openers over Westminster, including last season's 28-7 affair.

The Lions are coming off of a 6-5 season in which they went unbeaten in Golden West League play before falling in the first round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs to Woodbridge, 20–17.

Head coach Ted McMillen will have his work cut out for him as Westminster will be without last season's starting quarterback, Steven Anderson, as well as leading rusher Nathan Juarez and leading receiver Matt Alvarez.

Who will step up and become the new playmakers for the Lions? We’ll find out next Friday in the opener against Garden Grove.

Westminster football players head to the field for practice Monday. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Westminster middle linebacker Saul Becerra makes an interception during practice Monday. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Players head on to the field for practice. Westminster High has another week before the start of its season. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cach Ted McMillen talks to his players during practice. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Quarterback Daniel Thomsen will run the Westminster offense this season. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Westminster quarterback Daniel Thomsen leads the offense. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Middle linebacker Saul Becerra leads the defense for Westminister. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Westminster running backs coach Robert Conlon holds up a play for the offense at practice. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Westminster's wide receiver Dat Tran makes a catch. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Westminster defensive linemen battle at the line of scrimmage during practice. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Lineman Zach Costales, right, battles at the line of scrimmage. BILL ALKOFER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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